Laser Spine Institute announced on May 18 that it has surpassed the 70,000 mark for meals donated through its Give & Grub food truck program, an initiative aimed at reducing food insecurity in Tampa Bay. Supported through an integrative partnership with the Tampa Bay Lightning, Feeding America Tampa Bay and Metropolitan Ministries, Laser Spine Institute donates a meal to a child in the Tampa Bay area for every meal sold by the truck and for each use of #GiveAndGrub on social media.

Beginning with October’s launch, Laser Spine Institute pledged to donate 150,000 meals to local children in need over the course of a calendar year. According to Feeding America Tampa Bay, there are an estimated 700,000 people in the region struggling with hunger — of that number some 250,000 are children.

“There is no greater imperative we have as a society than to ensure the health and welfare of our children,” said Thomas Mantz, Executive Director, Feeding America Tampa Bay. “Understanding this, Laser Spine Institute has taken it upon itself to invest their resources to provide meals to children who would otherwise go hungry. Through the company’s efforts, thousands of Tampa Bay children have meals on the weekend, a time when far too often they don’t eat. Laser Spine Institute’s commitment to the cause of childhood hunger will change the lives of many and we cannot fully express our gratitude for their partnership.”

As part of its giveback program, Laser Spine Institute donates backpacks of food to children at two entire schools in the community every Friday. Secured through Feeding America Tampa Bay, each backpack contains five shelf-stable nutritious meals for the weekend. Participating schools include Cleveland Elementary and the MOSI Partnership School in Hillsborough County and Woodlawn Elementary and Nina Harris School in Pinellas County.

Laser Spine Institute also throws blowout events monthly with the Give & Grub food truck at local Boys & Girls Clubs. Children at those events receive a meal secured through Metropolitan Ministries that mimics the truck’s gourmet menu, along with a backpack of five meals for the weekend. Those events have also featured the Lightning’s “Rolling Thunder” interactive games and an appearance by Lightning players, Ben Bishop and Anton Stralman.

The Give & Grub food truck sells its gourmet menu for lunch at regional office parks and corporate centers throughout the area. In addition, it can be found at select events, festivals and in Amalie Arena’s Thunder Alley before Thursday and Saturday Lightning games.